Kung fu Panda 3

Your favorite reviewer is back, this time I am taking a crack at the newest installment of the Kung fu Panda trilogy. Lets face it, when it comes to animated movies created for all ages, Dreamworks really gets it right. Unfortunately, they do go a little too far with their movies such as, "Shrek 4". Did this movie franchise suffer the same fate? lets find out:

Kung fu Panda 3-

I absolutely loved the first movie, the voice actors were perfect for their characters, and each one was lovable and stood out. All kinds of emotions were felt watching that film, and when the second one was released, again I felt all of the same things I did as the story continued. To be honest, I felt the same thing again with this newest installment. All of the same voice actor return, with newer actors to the mix. The animation is suburb and it hits all the right things for a successful trilogy.

The plot- Po has taken his final test under Master Shifu as student, where Master Shifu instructs Po, he must now become the teacher, so he can reach the next level of Kung fu. Po has an incredibly difficult time taking on the role as teacher. Continuing from the second movie, a new panda arrives in Po's village, which turns out to be his biological father, Li Chan, voice acted by Bryan Cranston. Po leaves with both Li and his adopted father, Mr. Ping, to the secret village of the remaining pandas. Meanwhile, a villain has emerged from the spirit world, known as Kai, played by J.K Simmons. He is obsessed with defeating all the masters of the world and the pandas to gather their Chi, so he may become the most power kung fu master ever. Now, Po must step up as the Dragon Warrior to teach the pandas to defeat Kai.

The movie has everything you could want in an action animated film. The humor is still there, as the first two films, and the emotions are there between father and son, and between biological father and son. All of the pandas are just as likable as Po. The film really pulls the trilogy together as it comes full circle. The movie suggests this will be the last one, and it should be, as much as it pains me to say this.... because it ended so well. I hope Dreamworks doesn't become greedy and do a fourth one. Perfect example of beating a dead horse is "Shrek 4".

Final Verdict- 7.5, Definitely worth seeing on a date or taking your kids to see it. Beautiful animation and great characters for everyone to enjoy.

More movies coming along, as I near my 50th review.... more reviews to come. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Unbroken

It has been a glorious holiday so far, and I hope everyone else is having an amazing one too. I went to see some of the new movies, which entered theaters of this holiday movie season, and I went to see "Wild" starring Reese Witherspoon. Unfortunately, it was sold out, so instead of going home decided to see this one. Now, was it a good substitution or should have just gone home instead? Lets find out:

Unbroken- This is a true story about the life of American Olympian named Louis Zamperini played by new comer Jack O'Connell. Angelina Jolie gets her directing debut, and this is truly one amazing story of strong will on another level. Especially, when most people would've given up the sheer will to live.

The plot- You follow him when he was young getting in trouble with the law. Then his older brother convinced him to join the track team, and every day he trained Louis to increase his speed and endurance. Louis becomes so good he becomes an American Olympian, but dreams of winning the gold have to wait when World War II begins. Louis enlists into the air force, and on a rescue search for a fallen plane over the ocean. Louis' plane loses it's engines, and crashes into the ocean. From this point on the audience witnesses this man's struggle to hold onto life.

The acting was very well done. One of the scenes, which blew my mind was when Louis, and the other two surviving pilots were floating on a life raft. A medium sized shark is swimming by the raft, and the three men grab it by the tail, wrestling it into the raft. They killed it, and ate it. I mean, don't get me wrong, there were some powerful moments, but there were sometimes the movie just dragged on and on.

Final Verdict- 6.5/10, I did enjoy the movie, but I don't see myself running out to buy a copy of it on DVD. This is a good movie, but not pay 10 to 13 dollars to watch in theaters type. Save your money, Netflix all the way for this one.

Thats it for now, maybe i'll get a chance this week to see the movie, "Wild" the one i previously wanted to watch. For now this is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Maleficent

Hey everyone, well, I was able to see all the current blockbusters I really wanted to view. Well, until next month, lol... anyway, I saw the newest movie released by Disney. Now, did I want run for the hills while watching this, or was it an impressive twist on an old fairy tale? Lets find out as I review "Maleficent."

Maleficent- Well, I was blown away when I first saw the trailer for his movie months ago. The lines that got me to say, "I need to see this movie." Was the young Aurora walks up to the dark forest,

"Come out, I know you're there," says the curious Aurora, "Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid," Maleficent replies.

"Then come out."

"Then you'll be afraid."

Chills ran down my spine and I said yup need to see this film. Angelina Jolie nailed this part, and she really gave a presence that she would eat your heart. Her face is so angelic, it really helped to sell her appearance as this angel/fairy character. I think her performance as the Maleficent was amazing. She had charisma and a sense of evil from a tortured soul. She made you believe this character is real, if you get what I'm trying to say. She blew this part out of the water, and thats probably because she was the only big name in the cast. Most of the other actors I feel anyone could've played their parts to be honest.

This movie, had all the characters from the fairy tale, like the 3 little fairies, Prince Philip, and Aurora with her royal family. Now without giving too much away in the review, the twist in this film is it actually gets you to root for Maleficent. When I watched "Sleeping Beauty" as a youth, I was like fuck this evil bitch! Then after I saw how Maleficent was wronged and betrayed by the King. I was like yeah fuck that baby! She deserves to be curse!

Funny how, when things are shown at a different perspective, suddenly you could be rooting for the "villain." The only complaint I have about the movie is it was too short! 1 hour 37 minutes. It was such a engrossing storyline that it just flew by, and before you knew it.. poof it was gone!






Final Verdict- 9.5/10, Strongly urge people to see this movie. It was a great twist, and done so very well. If I go on anymore about this film I'll give too much away.

That's it for now everyone, see you all in June for the next round of summer block buster films to come out in theaters, and I'll be there waiting to review them all. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!